Overhead intersection for conductors of trackless trolleys



G. F. ATKINSON ET AL ;705

OVERHEAD INTERSECTION FOR CONDUCTORS 0F TRACKLESS TROLLEYS Feb. 14,1939.

3 heets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1957 TORS T/f/NSON 61 5M A. NOR/SE77! MWATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1939. G. F. ATKINSON ET AL OVERHEAD IfITERSECTION FORCONDUGTORS OF TRACKLESS TROLLEYS Filed Nov. 29, 1937 .3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS GEORGE Fflr/mvso/v 61.51% 5 Ofi/SETTE 6 5w NE Feb. 14, 1939.G, F. ATKINSON ET'AL 2,146,705

OVERHEAD INTERSECTION FOR CONDUCTORS OF TRACKLESS TROLIJEYS Filed'Nov.29, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS GEORGE F ATK\N ON QLEMBL, MOR\SETTEPatented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STAT FICE George F. Atkinson, Benton, andClem L.

sette, Seattle, Wash.

Mori- Application November 29, 1937, Serial No. 177,110

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an overhead intersection for the wires of atrackless trolley and the general object of this invention is tosimplify overhead intersections of this type and reduce to a minimum thenumber of cross overs of positive and negative electrical conductors.

In the usual trackless trolley system each overhead trolley linecomprises two parallel spaced apart electrical conductors, one positiveand the other negative. For double track operation on any street two ofthese double conductor overhead lines are required. Where the overheadlines on two streets cross each other, as at street intersections, it iscommon practice to extend the four conductors on one street across thefour conductors on the other street and to also provide turn-outconductors connecting the several intersecting trolley lines in such amanner as to make it possible for a trolley coach or bus to proceed fromany street to any other street at the intersection. In accordance withstandard practice this requires that conductors of different polarity becrossed in at least thirty two different places at a single intersectionwhere four conductors extending in one direction cross four otherconductors extending in another direction. In accordance with standardpractice it is necessary to provide insulator means at each of thesecross overs of conductors of difierent polarity. Also in cross overs ofthe usual type the insulators are subjected to considerable strain andfor this reason are subject to a substantial amount of deterioration andare liable to break down.

In accordance with this invention we provide intersection means for theoverhead electrical conductors of trackless trolleys in which the numberof cross overs of negative and positive conductors is reduced to aboutone fourth that of standard practice and in which the suspended weightis reduced to about one half as compared to .the weight heretoforecommonly employed in standard practice. Thus for an intersectionformerly necessitating .thirty two cross overs of conductors of oppositepolarity and involving a relatively heavy weight we provide anintersection requiring only eight cross overs and requiring only aboutone half of the weight formerly required. We accomplish this saving byemploying a totally difierent type of cross over construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide efficient intersectionmeans for the overhead electrical conductors of trackless trolleys whichrequires only approximately one fourth of the number of cross overs ofconductors of opposite polarity now required in a given installation inaccordance with standard practice.

It is another object of this invention to provide an intersection meansfor the overhead electrical conductors of a trackless trolley which, ascompared to the usual installation of similar type, will require lessinsulators and will admit of the use of insulators which are lessexpensive and more durable, and which will require less parts and willsave a great deal of expense over and above the cost of the usualinstallation of the same type.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of anoverhead intersection means for trackless trolley electrical conductorsconstructed in accordance with this invention only the conductors andinsulators and frogs being shown and the supporting structure beingomitted.

Fig. 2 is a similar plan view showing the supporting structure, partlydiagrammatically, and showing parts of the conductors.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation on broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and on alarger scale than Fig. 2, showing parts of the supporting means andshowing the hanger and insulator means for the conductors.

Fig. 4 is a cross section substantially on broken line 4-4 of Fig. 2,the scale of Fig. 4, being larger than the scale of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Fig. 1, showingintersection means which may be employed to take care of overhead.trolley conductor means extending outwardly in three directions from theintersection. 7

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, 5 designates an innerconductor member and 6 designates an outer conductor member which isspaced outwardly from the inner conductor member. The two conductormembers 5 and 6 are each of loop shape and said two conductor membersare positioned in substantially the same plane, usually above a streetintersection, and the loop formed by the conductor member 6 is largerthan the loop formed by the conductor member 5 and extends around theloop formed by the conductor member 5 in spaced relation thereirom. Bothconductor members 5 and 6 extend substantially throughout three hundredsixty degrees and may be substantially circular, as shown in Fig. l. Theouter conductor member 6 is preferably constructed in sections which arepreferably spaced apart by blocks of insulating material, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3. The blocks I I serve toinsulate other conductors whichcross the outer circular conductor 6, as hereinafter described, and alsoprovide means over which the shoe or wheel on the upper end of a trolleypole, not shown, may coast in traveling from one section to another ofthe outer conductor member 6.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1, trackless trolleylines approach the conductors 5 and 6 from four directions. Thesetrackless trolley lines consist of pairs of electrical conductors andthese conductors are numbered 8 to 23 inclusive. The outermostconductors of each trolley line, namely the conductors. 8, l I, l2, l5,l6, I9, and 23 are suitably curved outwardly and are connected bysuitable overhead frogs 24- with the outer conductor 6. The innermostconductors 9, I6, l3, l4, l1, l8, 2|, 22 are similarly curved outwardlyand extend across the outer conductor 6 on the insulating blocks 1 andare connected by overhead frogs 24 with the inner conductor 5. Theoverhead frogs preferably are of the well known conventional typecommonly used in connection with overhead trolley conductors.

The inner conductor 5: and the conductors 9, l6, l3, l4, l1, I8, 2| and22 connected therewith are all of one polarity. The outer conductor 6.and conductors 8, ll, l2, l5, 16, I9 20 and 23 connected therewith, areall. of the other polarity.

The insulators I are preferably pieces of insulating material, such ashardwood or fiber, about two feet long. These insulators are suitablyshaped to guide the trolley shoe or wheel smoothly across the insulatorfrom one section of conductor 6 to another. All conductors of oppositepolarity from the outer conductor memher 6, which cross said outerconductor member extend across the insulators 1. The two conductors 5and 6 and the two conductors of each trolley line are preferably spacedabout two feet apart. No tension strain is exerted on the insulators l.

The conductors 5 and 6 are preferably sup.-v

ported by hangers. 25 which are connected with inner and outersupporting members 2'6 and 21. The supportingmembers 2,6 and 21 may besupported in spaced apart relation bybrackets or spacers 28 ofinsulating material. I are preferably connected directly with the outersupporting member 21, see Figs. 1 and 4. The members 26 and 21 may besuspended in any suitable manner, such as by inclined cables 29connected with a central ring 30 which is supported above the supports26 and 2". by other cables 3| connected with poles 32 or other supportsat the sidesof the street. This suspension means is omitted in Fig. 1,and is shown some.- what diagrammaticallyin Fig. 2. Strain insulators 34are preferably provided at suitable locations in the cables 29 andsuspension type strain insulators 35 are preferably used to connect theinner supporting member 26with, said cables 29.

The straight portions of the conductors 8 to 23 inclusive are connected.with the supporting members 26 and, 21. by suitable tension members 33which maintain a straight pull on the straight portions of theconductors and. relieve strain in the curved portions by. which theconductors 8 The insulators.

to 23 inclusive are connected with the central conductors 5 and 6.Preferably the cables 29 are connected with the outer supporting member21 substantially in line with the tension members 33.

In operation, this overhead intersection means, as illustrated in Figs.1 to 4, permits a trackless trolley car to turn to the right on thefirst intersecting line, or to proceed substantially straight throughthe intersection, or to follow substantially three fourths of the wayaround the conductors 5 and 6 and then turn to the right, or to make a Uturn and proceed back along the same street on which it approached theintersection.

This overhead intersection will also admit of reverse or backingmovement in the same manner as an ordinary overhead intersection.

In accordance with common practice a trackless trolley coach using ourintersection will ordinarily use the right hand overhead trolley lineand will turn to the right in all turns, as shown by the arrows inFig. 1. When a trolley coach. is proceeding through the intersectionwithout turning, it will be understood that the coach may follow asubstantially straight course through the intersection, while thetrolley poles, which admit of a considerable amount of side deviation,will follow the curved and circular tracks until they reach the straighttracks at the other side of the intersection. The trolleys shoes orwheels will coast over the insulators I. In locations where the trolleycoach will ordinarily follow a course which is offset to one side of theoverhead conductors it is sometimes desirable to position the overheadconductor which is furtherest away from the trolley coach at a lowerelevation than the closer conductor. This enables. the trolley shoes orwheels on the trolley poles to maintain a better engagement with theconductors. The size of the curved three hundred and sixty degree tracksprovided by the central conductor members may be varied to suitconditions.

Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings illustrate a typical form of intersectionwhere two overhead double trolley lines extend outwardly from theintersection at right angles to each other. It will be understood thatour intersection means is equally well adapted for other types ofintersections where the overhead. trolley lines are not at right anglesto each other or are offset as respects each other or where a greater orless number of overhead trolley lines are involved.

In overhead intersections, as heretofore constructed, where two doubletrackless trolley lines radiate outwardly from the intersection it hasbeen common practice to provide at least thirty two cross overs whereconductors of oppositepolarity cross each other. The total weight of thesuspended parts of such intersections has neces sarily been relativelygreat. In accordance with this invention we provide an overheadintersection of this type which has but eightcross overs of conductorsof opposite polarity, which only requires a suspended, weight of aboutone half that formerly required, and which will accomplish all of thefunctionsof the previously, con.- structed overhead intersections andwill accomplish some of those functions in a more satisfactory manner.For instance, with the usual overhead trackless trolley intersection itis necessary to back or reverse the trolley car to make a three quarterturn or a U turn, but with this intersection either the three quarter orU turn maybe quickly and easily made without reversmg.

The saving in number of cross overs and in suspended weight results in agreat saving in the expense of initial installation and a further savingin the cost of maintenance. In Fig. 5, we show a modification of theinvention adapted to an intersection in which overhead trackless trolleyconductors extend outwardly in three directions from the intersection.In this disclosure we provide an inner central conductor 36 and an outercentral conductor 31 both of which extend in curved paths throughoutthree'hundred and sixty degrees although these conductors are notcircular. Three sets of double overhead trackless trolley conductors 38to 49 inclusive extend toward and are connected with the conductors 36and 31 in a manner similar to that disclosed in Fi 1. It will be notedthat the conductors 36 and 31 are not circular and that the intersectingconductors 38 to 49 are not in alignment with each other. The inventionmay be modified to suit Various other types of intersections. Theoperation of the overhead intersection shown in Fig. 5, is substantiallythe same as the operation of the devices shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose apreferred embodiment of our invention but it will be understood thatthis disclosure is merely illustrative and that changes may be madewithin the scope and spirit of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising two electrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hundred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved pathsof smaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane,the path of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; and a plurality of pairs of other overhead electricalconductor members forming trackless trolley lines intersecting andconnected with said two first named conductor members.

2. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising two electrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hundred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved pathsof smaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane,the path of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; and a plurality of pairs of other overhead electricalconductor members forming trackless trolley lines intersecting andconnected with said two first named conductor members, said two firstnamed conductor members providing transition track means between theseveral pairs of overhead conductor members which v intersect said twofirst named con-ductor members.

3. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising two electrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hundred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved pathsof smaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane,the path of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; and a plurality of pairs of other overhead electricalconductor members radiating from said two first named conductor membersand connected therewith, one conductor member of each pair beingconnected with the outermost first named conductor member and the otherconductor member of each pair crossing the outermost first namedconductor member and being connected with the innermost first namedconductor member.

4. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising two electrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hundred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved pathsof smaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane,the path of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; a plurality of pairs of other overhead electricalconductor members forming trackless trolley lines leading to said twofirst named conductor members, one conductor member of each pair beingconnected with the outermost first named conductor member and the .otherconductor member of each pair crossing the outermost first namedconductor member and being connected with the innermost first named Hconductor member; and insulator sections interposed in said outermostfirst named conductor member at the locations where said outermost firstnamed conductor member is crossed by said other conductor members.

5. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising two electrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hunred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved paths ofsmaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane, thepath of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; a plurality of pairs of other overhead electricalconductor members forming trackless trolley lines leading to said twofirst named conductor members; overhead trolley switch means connectingone conductor member of each pair with the outermost first namedconductor member; other trolley switch means. connecting the otherconductor member of each pair with the innermost first named conductormember, the conductor members which are connected with the innermostfirst named conductor member being of opposite polarity from theoutermost first named conductor member and extending across theoutermost first named conductor member; and insulator sectionsinsulating said two conductor members at the locations where they arecrossed.

6. An intersection structure for the overhead electrical conductors of atrackless trolley system, comprising twoelectrical conductor memberspositioned above a street intersection and extending throughoutsubstantially three hundred sixty degrees in spaced apart curved pathsof smaller and larger size which are in substantially the same plane,the path of one conductor member being inside of the path of the otherconductor member; a plurality of pairs of other spaced apart overheadelectrical conductor members forming relatively straight tracklesstrolley lines extending from different directions toward said firstnamed conductor members; and curved conductor sections connecting one ofthe relatively straight conductor members of each pair with theoutermost first named conductor member and the other relatively straightconductor member of each pair with the innermost first named conof otheroverhead electrical conductor members forming relatively straighttrackless trolley lines extending from different directions toward saidfirst named V conductor members; relatively straight tension membersconnecting said relatively straight conductor members with said overheadsupporting means; and curved conductor sections connecting therelatively straight conductor members with the first named conductor 7members.

GEORGE F. ATKINSON. CLEM L. MORISE'I'I'E.

